Selena Gomez has set the record straight after facing backlash from Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez regarding her Spanish accent in the Netflix film Emilia Perez. The 32-year-old star, who played Jessi Del Monte, a Mexican cartel lord’s wife, responded to Derbez’s harsh comments with grace and self-awareness.
Derbez, 63, sparked controversy during an appearance on the Spanish-language podcast Hablando de Cine, where he labeled Gomez’s performance as “indefensible.” He claimed her accent and delivery fell flat, leaving him and others in the room cringing during her scenes.
In a now-viral TikTok clip, Gomez directly addressed his remarks, writing, “I understand where you are coming from… I’m sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn’t take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie.”
Her response quickly gained traction, with fans rallying to her defense on social media. Many praised her for taking on a challenging role in a language she doesn’t fluently speak, while others criticized Derbez’s comments as overly harsh.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) chimed in, saying, “Selena is talented, and people need to stop attacking her for not speaking perfect Spanish” and “Eugenio Derbez’s comments were uncalled for. Selena did her best in a difficult role.” Others pointed out the double standard, noting that similar critiques wouldn’t arise if the film were in English.
Interestingly, Derbez previously praised the movie during its New York Film Festival premiere, sharing a photo with Gomez on Instagram and calling Emilia Perez a “great movie.” This left many scratching their heads at the disconnect between his earlier praise and his recent harsh criticism.
Meanwhile, podcast host Gaby Meza echoed some of Derbez’s concerns, stating that Gomez’s Spanish delivery lacked clarity and nuance, attributing it to her primary fluency in English. Meza added, “If she doesn’t know what she’s saying, she can’t give her acting any nuance.”
Derbez doubled down, claiming the cultural context was lost in translation for non-Spanish speakers. He remarked, “It’s like making a film in Russian without knowing the culture or language.”
Despite the criticism, Gomez’s fans continue to laud her effort in stepping outside her comfort zone and embracing a complex role. Many believe the discussion highlights broader issues in casting and representation in global cinema, sparking a debate on whether non-native speakers should take on roles requiring fluency in another language.
While Selena Gomez hasn’t elaborated further, her succinct and heartfelt response stands as a reminder of her commitment to her craft—even when faced with tough critiques. Fans are eager to see how she navigates future roles, proving once again that she’s unafraid to take risks and embrace new challenges.
